I’ve spoken more than once about the emotional roller coaster – the highs and lows – that all who rescue are constantly on. I just didn’t have time to put together a real story this week. I’m just quickly jotting down some events at the last minute before deadline.

The highs, first. Johnny is really doing well; all emails and other messages I receive tell me he’s loved wherever he goes. These are the words of Kathy Toomey, his foster mom: “He’s a rock star.”

With Hope, the sweet girl from last month, who was very thin and was suffering from a skin problem that turned out not to be mange, there is this message: “She is sweet as ever, her skin is clearing up, she loves the new blanket and igloo you brought her, Uncle Lennie, and she’s been walking in Harmon Field, doing well. Thank you.”

On the level, next, with sweet, sweet little Ashes. This darling tortoise shell feline broke her leg. She became one of Uncle Lennie’s kids and for reasons I won’t go into, she just couldn’t heal properly. I have been visiting her daily for nearly a week and believe me, she has stolen my heart. And did I mention she’s sweet?! Today we finally had to take her back leg. I know she’ll be fine and not in any more pain. I guess it’s the best we can do for her.

We have a little black kitten maybe about two months old that’s at Landrum Vet. I think they’re going to call her Luna, like my girl at Purrrfect Bark. Dr. Raines asked if I’d take her on because she needs an FHO, the same sort of ball joint surgery that we did for Johnny. Just a few hours ago I held this little purr machine in my hands. We’ll help her, if we can get Elaine at Landrum Vet to put her down.

Now the lows. I got the call for Noble, a 2½-year-old Boxer mix at Cloverfield. Dr. Maria told me it was from a client who has been with her for 10 years but had fallen on hard times. I agreed to help Noble who had swallowed some rubber, and one hard piece was stuck in his intestines, causing a blockage. It was a big bill but I trusted Dr. Maria’s judgment implicitly.

I went to visit the day after the operation and met this beautiful boy whose tail thumped and freely gave kisses when I opened his cage to greet him. Noble went home the next day but was brought back the following day in pain and had other complications. Dr. Maria explained to me the whole procedure and I guess it couldn’t all be removed and began to fester. The most humane thing to do was to put him to sleep, which we did.

Thanks for all the support I’ve been receiving these past few weeks. Thanks for now and then riding the roller coaster with me. Thanks for your prayers. And, as always, thanks for listening.